If you are a vendor who is now selling or would like to start selling to the federal government, this special seminar for SIGCAT corporate sponsors will acquaint you with the complexities of the process. Many vendors give up too soon because they do not get immediate results. Selling to the federal market is totally different from selling in the commercial world. Successful selling to the dedearl amrket takes time, money, and careful planning.
One of the obstacles to selling to the government are the many procurement rules and regulations. Reporting and record keeping can be time consuming and painful. In addition, the government has buying cycles. With all of these roadblocks, why sell to the feds? The federal government is a huge buyer. In 1996, the federal government will procure $26 billion worth of goods and services in the Washington, D.C., area alone. In addition, the federal government is a no-risk buyer--it always pays its bills. Interest is automatically paid to you when payments are late. Finally, once a buying relationship is established, you will have a loyal and steady customer. This session will help you put together a marketing and sales plan to capture your share.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lake Thoreau
The CD-ROM Classroom showcases a veriety of multimedia products aimed specifically at bringing the world of digital information in the classroom environment. For two days, teachers and educators will be able to visit the CD-ROM Classroom and observe students using someof the latest multimedia educational products from the industry. Several classes from neighboring schools will be scheduled over the two days to create an actual classroom environment and will provide real-world feedback to participants and observers.
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lake Fairfax A & B
If you need to keep up with key developments in the CD-ROM industry but just don't have the time, spend an hour at our special Industry Announcements session. In this information-packed hour, you will hear reports from the people who were responsible for the top ten recent CD-ROM developments. Selected by Dave Guenette, editor of CD-ROM Professional, these announcements represent the highlights of the industry with respect to products, technology, and policy.
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Exhibit Halls
Come to the Exhibitors Reception to welcome all SIGCAT '96 attendees and get your first glimpse of an incredible variety of CD-ROM products and technology. Visit the exhibits while enjoying a cocktail and some hors d'oeuvres.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lake Thoreau
The CD-ROM Classroom showcases a veriety of multimedia products aimed specifically at bringing the world of digital information in the classroom environment. For two days, teachers and educators will be able to visit the CD-ROM Classroom and observe students using someof the latest multimedia educational products from the industry. Several classes from neighboring schools will be scheduled over the two days to create an actual classroom environment and will provide real-world feedback to participants and observers.
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Regency Terrace
The Access Technology Lab (ATL) will highlight those techniques and devices that are making it possible for people with disabilities to access the rapidly expanding world of digital information on CD-ROM. The ATL also will allow both users and developers to gain an appreciation for the technological issues involved with making today's search and retrieval software engines function properly with the many access devices now available in the marketplace.
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Reston Suites B
Twenty-four exhibitors will give an overview of one of their products or services. These 12-minute presentations will give attendeed the chance to hear and see demonstrations and learn about timely product announcements.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Booths L4 and L5 - Online Inc.
The authors of three important books will be at Online Inc.'s booth to answer your questions and to sign copies of their books (available for sale at the booth). The books and authors featured are CD-ROM Professional's CD-Recordable Handbook: The Complete Guide to Practical Desktop Recording by Dana J. Parker and Robert A, Starrett, Video Compression for Multimedia by Jan Ozer, and Adapting PCs for Disabilities by Joseph P. Lazzaro.
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Town Center Pavilion
SIGCAT will be presenting the Second Annual Significant Achievement and Recognition Awards (SARA), which recognize achievements by individuals and organizations in both the public and private sectors that have developed useful and innovative CD-ROM products or contributed to the development of CD-ROM technology. Awards categories include both applications and technology in government, industry, and education. Outstanding contributions by individuals who have been associated with CD-ROM for 10 years will also be recognized with a special "Continuous Achievement Award."
Click here for information on how to submit a nomination.
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight
Town Center Pavilion
Following the awards ceremony, dataDisc, Dataware, and Infodata will host an informal evening of live entertainment, with musicians from the CD-ROM industry occasionally sitting in.
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Reston Suites B
Twenty-four exhibitors will give an overview of one of their products or services. These 12-minute presentations will give attendeed the chance to hear and see demonstrations and learn about timely product announcements.
The Federal Showcase is an event unique to the SIGCAT annual conferences, where representatives from dozens of government agencies have a chance to display and discuss their latest CD-ROM applications. The federal government is the largest single user of CD-ROM technology in the world, with thens of thiusands of discs being produced and disseminated every month. The Federal Showcase provides an opportunity for conference attendees to see first hand some of these applications, which are saving significant tax dollars while at the same time enhancing information worker productivity. Attendees can personally meet federal project managers and application developers from a wide variety of agencies and learn how they took their CD-ROM projects from concept to successful implementation.
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Regency Ballroom
Please join our federal agency representatives as SIGCAT hosts a wine and cheese reception while you visit the Federal Showcase exhibits.
9:00 A.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Lake Thoreau
Come see the CD-ROM applications that won SARAs in a hands-on classroom environment. Have a chance to try out some of the most exciting public and private sector CD-ROM applications available today.
The Federal Showcase is an event unique to the SIGCAT annual conferences, where representatives from dozens of government agencies have a chance to display and discuss their latest CD-ROM applications. The federal government is the largest single user of CD-ROM technology in the world, with thens of thiusands of discs being produced and disseminated every month. The Federal Showcase provides an opportunity for conference attendees to see first hand some of these applications, which are saving significant tax dollars while at the same time enhancing information worker productivity. Attendees can personally meet federal project managers and application developers from a wide variety of agencies and learn how they took their CD-ROM projects from concept to successful implementation.
Panel/Luncheon
Grand Ballroom (section)
The second decade of CD-ROM development is ahead of us--what will it be like? What forms will CD-ROM take in the next 10 years? Representatives from the electronic publishing industry, developers of hybrid relationships between CD-ROM, the Internet, and the World Wide Web, developers of new hardware and software, and others will comprise a panel along with the audience to discuss these issues. Sandwiches will be available while you listen or participate.